Post by vickysmallman on Mar 6, 2014 22:54:15 GMT -5
Hi All
I went to the transition team meeting this week in Mark's place, as he was out of the country. Nicholas ended up having a sick kid to care for, so I was solo with Connaught reps Viki Nolan and Alan McKay. The two principles and Susan McDonald were also in attendance.
There is definitely an openness to hearing about parents' concerns and questions and trying to be relatively transparent as we move ahead. We talked a bit about identifying some good projects that parents can sink their teeth into while we wait for the staffing stuff to sort out, as some decisions won't be made until we have a handle on that.
This first meeting mostly centred around communication and transitions. We reviewed the list of concerns and questions that have been raised by Devonshire parents. We talked a lot about how to make the transition easier for kids from both schools. It was a positive meeting and it is clear that staff at both schools are bringing a lot of creativity to this process.
Susan McDonald led the meeting; the agenda was more or less established according to the motion passed by the Board. We started off with an update of what's happened thus far and a review of the mandate of the transition team.
Here are my notes:
Discussion about communications, what's been done so far. There is some uncertainty about whether parents have been notified - Susan didn't seem to know about the letters the board was supposed to send. There may have been a miscommunication. They are going to sort that out. Most likely we will be called or sent letters by the principals. I was able to raise that there is some confusion among current JK parents about what we are supposed to do; we will be contacted by the school.
We identified some other areas where parents need information. Amy and Michele will determine the best way to make contact directly with the parents impacted by the decision. An information letter will be prepared to send home to welcome new families joining the Connaught community. It will have information about balanced day, lunch and recess routines, busing, safe arrival procedures, registration, school hours, upcoming special events (celebrations, kindergarten information evening etc.). It will also give some info on staffing timelines.
Cross boundary applications have been considered and decisions have been made. Parents have been called and letters will be sent. Applications were across the grades and to different schools. Most fell within policy; Susan was careful to ensure that there will be a robust program in place in the fall.
We also discussed the 50K and how it will be spent, what the procedure is for purchasing materials. There is a purchasing fair that the principal will attend. She will also hopefully be accessing funding for FDK implementation so that should help. She will be buying materials for all grades and the library. She is looking at having a technology coach come in to advise about tech needs. Susan will confirm whether furniture will be covered elsewhere.
Special needs and vulnerable students - Transition plan needs to be in place for each student. Teachers from Devonshire will meet with Connaught LST to go over files. Occupational therapists will also be involved. They recognize that some anxious students may need to come over by themselves early and need individual intro to the school.
We discussed Devonshire parents' suggestion of meetings with teachers before September. Staffing may change over the summer so it's hard to set up meetings before September. May backfire for anxious kids,
especially if they don't get the teacher they initially met (which is highly likely)
Transition for Connaught kids should also be considered.. Amy has started to initiate conversations with staff about this.
She is identifying 20 student leaders who may be able to act as ambassadors.
Discussion on transportation and parking issues is ongoing.
Opportunities for visits: Kindergarten concert, April 24. There are plans to extend invite to FDK families
BBQ may 29. We discussed a kid-oriented visit; decided it would be good to do this during the school day and make it kid-driven. Perhaps the same day as the BBQ; there can be a collaborative art project so
the kids are creating the new school together.
Common classes will be looked later but we reviewed the motivation behind the near west working group's recommendation. Desire to do this is there. There is a specialist who will be discussing this with Amy, who will also be working with staff on ideas. It's all about the timetabling. But there is openness to consider
possibilities. Amy has some creative ideas to promote unity and inclusion beyond common classes. The best practices info that Devonshire parents are collecting will be useful here.
There is a clear understanding for the need to balance fostering community by having students work across programs and maintaining the importance of focusing on language acquisition in the EFI program. How do we
foster French culture in an inclusive manner? This discussion will be ongoing.
We discussed Devonshire parents' desires to be actively engaged. The library may be a possible project for parents.Amy will follow up with the Connaught Librarian, who is bilingual and familiar with what a bilingual library will need. Kindergarten yard is another potential project.
We discussed collaborative art projects, including a mural project they are trying to get a grant for.
Two more meetings before the end of the year; Staffing complement needs to be identified and the hiring process underway before we meet again. Next meeting will be the end of April.
I went to the transition team meeting this week in Mark's place, as he was out of the country. Nicholas ended up having a sick kid to care for, so I was solo with Connaught reps Viki Nolan and Alan McKay. The two principles and Susan McDonald were also in attendance.
There is definitely an openness to hearing about parents' concerns and questions and trying to be relatively transparent as we move ahead. We talked a bit about identifying some good projects that parents can sink their teeth into while we wait for the staffing stuff to sort out, as some decisions won't be made until we have a handle on that.
This first meeting mostly centred around communication and transitions. We reviewed the list of concerns and questions that have been raised by Devonshire parents. We talked a lot about how to make the transition easier for kids from both schools. It was a positive meeting and it is clear that staff at both schools are bringing a lot of creativity to this process.
Susan McDonald led the meeting; the agenda was more or less established according to the motion passed by the Board. We started off with an update of what's happened thus far and a review of the mandate of the transition team.
Here are my notes:
Discussion about communications, what's been done so far. There is some uncertainty about whether parents have been notified - Susan didn't seem to know about the letters the board was supposed to send. There may have been a miscommunication. They are going to sort that out. Most likely we will be called or sent letters by the principals. I was able to raise that there is some confusion among current JK parents about what we are supposed to do; we will be contacted by the school.
We identified some other areas where parents need information. Amy and Michele will determine the best way to make contact directly with the parents impacted by the decision. An information letter will be prepared to send home to welcome new families joining the Connaught community. It will have information about balanced day, lunch and recess routines, busing, safe arrival procedures, registration, school hours, upcoming special events (celebrations, kindergarten information evening etc.). It will also give some info on staffing timelines.
Cross boundary applications have been considered and decisions have been made. Parents have been called and letters will be sent. Applications were across the grades and to different schools. Most fell within policy; Susan was careful to ensure that there will be a robust program in place in the fall.
We also discussed the 50K and how it will be spent, what the procedure is for purchasing materials. There is a purchasing fair that the principal will attend. She will also hopefully be accessing funding for FDK implementation so that should help. She will be buying materials for all grades and the library. She is looking at having a technology coach come in to advise about tech needs. Susan will confirm whether furniture will be covered elsewhere.
Special needs and vulnerable students - Transition plan needs to be in place for each student. Teachers from Devonshire will meet with Connaught LST to go over files. Occupational therapists will also be involved. They recognize that some anxious students may need to come over by themselves early and need individual intro to the school.
We discussed Devonshire parents' suggestion of meetings with teachers before September. Staffing may change over the summer so it's hard to set up meetings before September. May backfire for anxious kids,
especially if they don't get the teacher they initially met (which is highly likely)
Transition for Connaught kids should also be considered.. Amy has started to initiate conversations with staff about this.
She is identifying 20 student leaders who may be able to act as ambassadors.
Discussion on transportation and parking issues is ongoing.
Opportunities for visits: Kindergarten concert, April 24. There are plans to extend invite to FDK families
BBQ may 29. We discussed a kid-oriented visit; decided it would be good to do this during the school day and make it kid-driven. Perhaps the same day as the BBQ; there can be a collaborative art project so
the kids are creating the new school together.
Common classes will be looked later but we reviewed the motivation behind the near west working group's recommendation. Desire to do this is there. There is a specialist who will be discussing this with Amy, who will also be working with staff on ideas. It's all about the timetabling. But there is openness to consider
possibilities. Amy has some creative ideas to promote unity and inclusion beyond common classes. The best practices info that Devonshire parents are collecting will be useful here.
There is a clear understanding for the need to balance fostering community by having students work across programs and maintaining the importance of focusing on language acquisition in the EFI program. How do we
foster French culture in an inclusive manner? This discussion will be ongoing.
We discussed Devonshire parents' desires to be actively engaged. The library may be a possible project for parents.Amy will follow up with the Connaught Librarian, who is bilingual and familiar with what a bilingual library will need. Kindergarten yard is another potential project.
We discussed collaborative art projects, including a mural project they are trying to get a grant for.
Two more meetings before the end of the year; Staffing complement needs to be identified and the hiring process underway before we meet again. Next meeting will be the end of April.